Material consumption indicator and applications thereof

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprises a container and an indicator. The container includes a section for containing a consumable resource. The consumable resource includes one or more of a dissolvable solid and a miscible liquid. The indicator physically changes position with respect to the container to indicate the amount of consumption of the consumable resource when the container is in an environment that causes the consumable resource to be consumed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/400,741,entitled “Chemical Dispensing Systems”, filed Sep. 28, 2016, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part ofthe present U.S. Utility patent application for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NOT APPLICABLE

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to containers and more particularly toindicators that indicate when service to the container may be needed.

Description of Related Art

Containers have a plethora of uses, including storing and dispensingchemicals (e.g., solid, liquid, etc.) that are mildly to severely toxicto humans. For example, a container may be used as chemical dispensingsystem that houses chemical (e.g., chlorine tablets) for use in swimmingpools. The chemical dispensing system includes openings so that when itis placed in a pool the chemical tablets are exposed to the water. Whenexposed, the chemical tablets interact with the water and slowlydissolve to better maintain desired chemical levels of the water. Aftera certain amount of exposure, such chemicals need to be replaced to keepthe chemical levels of the water within a desired range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a containerindicator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a containerindicator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a dispensingmechanism in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a dispensingmechanism in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a containerindicator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an adjustableindicator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an adjustableindicator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an adjustableindicator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a spring loadedmechanism in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a springloaded mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a springloaded mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a containerindicator and an electronic circuit in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7B is a schematic block diagram of an example of an electroniccircuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7C is a schematic block diagram of another example of an electroniccircuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a buoyant chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a buoyant chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a buoyant chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser with a scoop indicator lid in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chemicaldispenser with a scoop indicator lid in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chemicaldispenser with a scoop indicator lid in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chemicaldispenser with a scoop indicator lid in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chemicaldispenser with a scoop indicator lid in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chemicaldispenser with a scoop indicator lid in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chemicaldispenser with a forceps indicator in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chemicaldispenser with a forceps indicator in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chemicaldispenser with a forceps indicator in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chemicaldispenser with a forceps indicator in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chemicaldispenser with a forceps indicator in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a container 10 thatincludes a section 12, an indicator 16, and a container top 18. Thesection 12 is an area, volume or space that allows container 10 tocontain a consumable resource 14. The consumable resource is one or moreof a dissolvable solid and a miscible liquid. The indicator 16 indicatesthe level (e.g., amount) of the consumable resource 14 present in thecontainer 10. Thus, with use of indicators 16, the level of theconsumable resource 14 within container 10 may be ascertained withoutdirect contact with the container 10 contact (e.g., physical removalfrom the environment 20).

In an embodiment, the indicator 16 may include one or more identifiers(e.g., numbers, colors, levels (e.g., high, medium, low, etc.) andamounts (e.g., 1 tab, 2 tabs, etc.). For example, the indicator mayinclude amount identifiers of full, half full and empty. As anotherexample, the indicator may include number identifiers in a range of 1-10(e.g., 1 being empty, 10 being full). As yet another example, theindicator may include color identifiers, with red representing empty,yellow representing half full and green representing full.

The environment 20 is any substance (e.g., liquid, air, etc.) that maybenefit from dissemination of the consumable resource 14. For example,the environment 20 may be a swimming pool or spa and the consumableresource is chlorine tablets. As another example, the consumableresource may be a miscible liquid, the environment 20 may be air in acertain area (e.g., room, office, etc.) and the interaction of the airwith the miscible liquid causes a humidity level to change. As yetanother example, the environment 20 may be a mixture of solids andliquids in a water treatment tank.

The container top 18 may be a variety of sizes. For example, thecontainer top 18 may be a circumference of the container 10. As anotherexample, the container top 18 may be a diameter that is one half adiameter of the container 10. The container top 18 may also bemechanically coupled to the indicator 16 and/or may allow for theindicator 16 to pass through the container top 18. The container top 18may further be or function as the indicator 16. In one example, thecontainer top is geometrically situated (e.g., concaved, sloped, angled,etc.) and includes an insertion area 13, such that a consumable resourcemay be added (e.g., poured, placed, etc.) to the section, withoutremoval of the container top 18. Note that the insertion area may be avariety of sizes to accommodate varying consumable resources. Forexample, the insertion area may include a cylindrical tube with adiameter of 0.5 inches. As another example, the insertion area may be aslot with an inverting flap that remains closed until sufficientpressure is provided and that functions to allow for insertion of a oneinch chlorine tablet.

The container top 18 may further be configured to rotate within thecontainer, such that the rotation allows the insertion area to be openedor closed. Further note the container top 18 may be manually rotated(e.g., by a user, robot, drone, etc.) or may be automatically(mechanically, electronically, etc.) rotated as the consumable resourceis consumed, such that when the consumable resource is full, theinsertion area is closed and when the consumable resource is below athreshold, the insertion area is opened. As one example, the section 12may include a spring loaded mechanism 30 as illustrated in FIG. 9A. Asthe consumable resource 14 is consumed, the spring loaded mechanism 30expands causing indicator 16 to increase in height with respect to thecontainer. The indicator 16 may be mechanically coupled to the containertop 18, such that at a point (e.g., half full, empty, etc.) the increasein height of the indicator causes the top 18 to rotate, which causes theinsertion area to open.

In this embodiment, at time t1, a first amount of the consumableresource 14 is present within the section 12 of the container 10. At asecond time t2, a second amount of the consumable resource is presentwithin the section 12 of the container 10. For example, at time t1 thecontainer 10 contains 4 full chlorine tablets and at time t2, thecontainer 10 contains four ¾ full chlorine tablets. As a result of areduction of chlorine tablets, the indicator 16 drops in height abovethe container from time t1 to time t2, which indicates the reduction inthe amount of the chlorine tablets.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a container 10 thatincludes section 12 and an indicator 16. The section 12 includes anouter housing 21 and a separate housing 22 for containing the consumableresource 14. The outer housing 21 is of a first material and theseparate housing is of the first material and/or of a second material.For example, each of the first and second materials is one or more of amolded plastic, a molded carbon fiber, a polyurethane (PU), athermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (PEVA), rubber, carbon fiber, cork, etc.

The separate housing 22 includes the indicator 16 such that when theseparate housing 22 changes position with respect to the outer housing21, the indicator 16 changes position. In one embodiment, the separatehousing 22 functions as the indicator 16. Note that the separate housing22 is contained within the in the outer housing 21 and is free to movevertically. As such, when the consumable resource is consumed, theseparate housing 22 moves within the outer housing 21, causing theindicator 16 to be more or less visible, which indicates a level ofconsumption.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of embodiments of a container10 that includes section 12 and a dispensing mechanism 24. Thedispensing mechanism 24 allows the consumable resource 14 to interactwith the environment 20. The dispensing mechanism 24 may be one or moreof an opening (e.g., slit, tube) and a membrane (e.g., synthetic,ceramic, polymeric, etc.). For example, the dispensing mechanism 24 maybe a membrane such that the consumable resource 14 is dispensed at afixed rate. As another example, the dispensing mechanism 24 may be amembrane such that the consumable resource 14 is dispensed at a variablerate that decreases as a dispensing factor (e.g., pressure, temperature,etc.) decreases. As yet another example and as shown in FIG. 3B, thedispensing mechanism 24 is an opening slit that allows the environment20 to interact with the consumable resource 14. In an embodiment, adispensing mechanism allows an environment (e.g., water) to interactwith a consumable resource (e.g., bromine tablet, acid, etc.), whichcauses consumption of the consumable resource. The consumption of theconsumable resource creates a desired mixture level between theconsumable resource and a liquid (e.g., the environment) to be within adesired mixture range.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a container 10that includes a section 12 and an indicator 16. The section includes aseparate housing 22 that contains consumable resource 14. The section 12also includes a buoyant material 28 that is coupled to at least one ofthe separate housing 22 and the indicator 16. Note that at least some ofone or both of the separate housing 22 and the indicator 16 may be thebuoyant material 28. For example, in one embodiment the separate housing22 is comprised of the buoyant material 28. The buoyant material 28functions to cause a physical change of the indicator 16 with respect tothe container 10 as the consumable resource 14 is consumed. In thisembodiment, at a first time t1, the container contains four fullchlorine tablets and the buoyant material 28 causes the top of theindicator 16 to be a first distance d1 from the top of the container 10.At time t2, the container contains four ½ full chlorine tablets and thebuoyant material 28 causes the top of the indicator 16 to be a seconddistance d2 (e.g., greater than the first, less than the first, etc.)from the top of the container 10.

FIGS. 4B-C are cross-sectional views of embodiments of a container 10that includes a separate housing 22. In one embodiment, the separatehousing 22 includes filler notches 46 which function to keep filler 35in place. In another embodiment, the filler is placed in the containerwithout filler notches 46. Filler 35 may be made from a variety ofmaterials. These materials include one or more of, but is not limitedto, a plastic, a metal, a foam and a rubber. For example, the filler 35may be a buoyant material comprised of Expanded Polystyrene Styrofoam(EPS). As another example, the filler may be a copper disk. The filler35 functions to allow the same container 10 to operate in differentenvironments 20 or with different consumable resources 14, while keepingthe indicators 16 functioning appropriate for its use. As an example, ata first time, the container is used in a 12,000 gallon pool. It isdesired that the container hold 4 chlorine tablets to maintain arecommended ratio of 1-3 ppm chlorine. In another example, the container10 is used in a 400 gallon Jacuzzi and it is desired that the containerhold 3 bromine tablets to maintain a recommend ratio of 3-5 ppm bromine.Thus, after the first time and before the second time, additionalfillers 35 may be added such that the indicators that accuratelyindicate a respective amount of the chlorine during the first time alsoaccurately indicate a respective amount of bromine during both the firstand second times. This allows the same indicator to be used for variousapplications while accurately indicating an amount of the consumableresource present within the container.

FIG. 4D is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a container 10that includes a separate housing 22 and an adjustable indicator 48. Theseparate housing 22 functions to contain a consumable resource and alsoto cause the adjustable indicator 48 to physically change position inrelation to the container 10. The adjustable indicator may bemechanically coupled to the separate housing 22. Note the separatehousing may also function as the adjustable indicator 48. The adjustableindicator may be adjusted (e.g., shortened, lengthened, etc.) so thatthe container may contain varying levels of one or more consumableresources and the adjustable indicator will accurately indicate theamount of the one or more consumable resources present within thecontainer 10.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a container 10 inan environment 20 that includes an indicator 16, a container top 18, aspring loaded mechanism 30, and a separate housing 22 for containing aconsumable resource 14. The spring loaded mechanism 30 functions toexpand as the consumable resource is consumed. As the spring loadedmechanism 30 expands, the indicator 16 changes position with respect toa top portion of the container 10. For example, at time t1, the separatehousing 22 contains a first amount of the consumable resource 14 causingthe spring loaded mechanism 30 to be at a first expansion, the firstexpansion causing indicator 16 to be at a first height d1. At time t2the separate housing 22 contains a second amount of the consumableresource 14 causing the spring loaded mechanism 30 to be at a secondexpansion, the second expansion causing indicator 16 to be at a secondheight d2. The change in height of the indicator 16 from d1 to d2indicates a change in the amount of the consumable resource 14 that ispresent within container 10.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross sectional views of an embodiment of acontainer 10 that includes an indicator 16, a container top 18, a springloaded mechanism 30, and a separate housing 22 for containing aconsumable resource 14. In one embodiment, the spring loaded mechanismis below one or more of the separate housing 22 and the consumableresource 14. The spring loaded mechanism 30 exerts an upward force onone or more of the consumable resource 14 and the separate housing 14.Thus, as the consumable resource 14 is consumed, the spring loadedmechanism 30 expands and causes the indicator 16 to increase in heightwith respect to the container 10. The increase in height of theindicator 16 indicates a remaining level of the consumable resource 14.

FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a container 10 inan environment 20 that includes a separate housing 22, an indicator 16,a section 12 for containing a consumable resource 14, and an electroniccircuit 50. The electronic circuit 50 functions to determine a positionof one or more of the container 10, the separate housing 22, and theindicator 16. The electronic circuit monitors various conditions of theenvironment 20 and consumable resource 14, ensures the consumableresource is being disseminated as desired (e.g., as programmed in memory58) and sends an alert message. For example, the electronic circuitmonitors a temperature and chlorine level of water in a swimming pool.As another example, the electronic circuit determines an amount of theconsumable resource is below a threshold level and sends a user (e.g., acomputing device, a refill drone, etc.) a message indicating theconsumable resource is below the threshold level. As another example,the electronic circuit determines the consumable resource consumptionrate is above a rate threshold.

FIGS. 7B and 7C are a schematic block diagrams of the electronic circuit50. In the embodiment of FIG. 7B, the electronic circuit 50 includes aprocessing module 52, transceiver 54 one or more sensors 56, and amemory 58. In the embodiment of FIG. 7C, the electronic circuit 50includes a processing module 52, transceiver 54 one or more environmentsensors 55, one or more indicator sensors and a memory 58.

The one or more sensors 56 determine a value of a physical position ofthe indicator with respect to the container to determine the amount ofthe consumable resource 14 present in the container 10. The processingmodule 52 receives the value representative of the amount and may storethe value in memory 58 and/or may send to the value to the transceiver54 along with a command message to send the value to a computing device.

The one or more environmental sensors 55 may detect one or moreconditions of the environment 20. The conditions include one or more ofa temperature, a humidity level, a chlorine level, a bromine level, atotal alkalinity level, a pH level, a water hardness level, and cyanuricacid level.

The electronic circuit 50 also includes an ambient light sensor thatfunctions to detect a change from a first ambient light condition to asecond ambient light condition. For example, the ambient light sensordetects a change from light to dark. The electronic circuit may thenconvert the detection in a signal that is sent as a Bluetooth signal bytransceiver 54 to a computing device. Note the transceiver 54 may beimplemented by a receiver and transmitter that do not share commoncircuitry. As a specific example, a light receiving diode is positionedon indicator. When the position of the light receiving diode on theindicator is still within the container, it will produce a firstelectronic signal indicating the first ambient light condition (e.g.,dark since it is still within the container). When the position of thelight receiving diode on the indicator is outside of the container, itwill produce a second electronic signal indicating the second ambientlight condition (e.g., light since it is outside of the container).

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a buoyant chemicaldispenser 80 for use in a pool of water 84 (e.g., pool, spa, etc.) thatincludes the section 12 for containing chemical tablets 82 (e.g.,chlorine, bromine, etc.) and a fill level indicator 86. The buoyantchemical dispenser 80 also includes the dispensing mechanism 24, whichallows the pool of water 84 to interact with the chemical tablets 82.The interaction between the chemical tablets 82 and the pool of water 84causes a reduction of the chemical tablets 82 within the buoyantchemical dispenser 80. The reduction of the chemical tablets 82 causes(e.g., due to a buoyant material 28, a spring loaded mechanism 30, areduction of pressure, etc.) the fill level indicator 86 to change aphysical position with respect to the buoyant chemical dispenser 80. Thechange in position of the fill level indicator 86 with respect to thebuoyant chemical dispenser 80 indicates a change in the amount of thechemical tablets within the buoyant chemical dispenser 80.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross sectional views of embodiments of a buoyantchemical dispenser 80 for use in a pool of water 84 (e.g., pool, spa,etc.) that includes the section 12 for containing chemical tablets 82(e.g., chlorine, bromine, etc.), an electronic circuit 50, a fill levelindicator 86, a container top 90, and one or more sensors 95. A sensorof the one or more sensors 95 may be one or more of, but not limited to,a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag, and may include a metal withconductive or magnetic properties. The electronic circuit determines anamount of chemical tablets by interacting with a sensor of the one ormore sensors 95 to determine a physical position of the fill levelindicator 86. The electronic circuit 50 may be placed in any locationthroughout a container 10 (e.g., the buoyant chemical dispenser 80). Forexample, the electronic circuit 50 is placed in an area of the container10 such that an environment sensor 55 of the electronic circuit 50 isable to sense information (e.g., chlorine levels, temperature, etc.) ofthe environment 20. As another example, a plurality of electroniccircuits 50 are placed in a plurality of areas (e.g., the bottom, thetop) of the container 10 such that a sensor 56 of the electronic circuit50 is able to sense respective forces to calculate a buoyancy of thecontainer 10.

FIG. 10 is a side view a chemical dispensing system that includes achemical dispenser 100, a scoop 102 which functions as an indicator anda lid, and chemical distribution ports 104. The scoop 102 may bechemical resistant and is positioned as a lid to keep the chemicalscontained within the dispenser. The chemical distribution ports 104 allfor an interaction between consumable resources located within thechemical dispenser 100 and the environment of chemical dispenser 100.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser 100 that includes an internal chamber 112 and a scoop 102. Thescoop 102 functions as an indicator and a lid. The internal chamber 112stores chemical tablets 110.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a chemicaldispenser that is full of chemical tables 110. The chemical dispenserincludes an internal chamber 112, and a removable scoop 102 forobtaining a chemical tablet 110 without direct contact to a user's skin.

FIG. 13 is a cross section view of an embodiment of a chemical dispenserthat is empty or nearly empty. The chemical dispensing system includes aremovable scoop 102 that is used to place a chemical tablet 110,granulated and/or any other forms of chemicals into the inner chamber ofthe chemical dispenser while protecting the user's skin from directcontact.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are cross sectional views of a chemical dispenser 100that includes a scoop 102 that also functions as an indicator 102 and alid 102, and a buoyant platform 140. The buoyant platform 140 causes theindicator 102 to rise in height due to a reduction in mass of chemicalsoccurring from an interaction of the chemicals within the chemicaldispenser 100 with a surrounding environment. As an example, chemicaldispenser 100 is used in a pool of water and is full of chemicals (e.g.,chlorine tablets). At a first time, a first amount of the chemicalswithin chemical dispenser 100 displace a first amount of water, causingthe buoyant platform 140 to have a first buoyancy. At a second time, asecond amount of the chemicals (e.g., when chemical dispenser 100 is ina near empty condition) within chemical dispenser 100 displace a secondamount of water, causing the buoyant platform 140 to have a secondbuoyancy. Note a first buoyant platform 140 may be used with chemicalsof a first mass and a second buoyant platform 140 may be used forchemicals of a second mass.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are vertical cross sections of an embodiment of abuoyant chemical dispenser 160 that includes buoyant platform 140coupled to fill level indicators 162. Chemical tablets 110 inside of thebuoyant chemical dispenser 160 are atop of the buoyant platform 140 ofthe buoyant chemical dispenser 160. The fill level indicators 162 mayfunction as a housing for the chemical tablets 110. In an example, at afirst time, as illustrated in FIG. 16, a first amount of the chemicaltablets 110 are present within buoyant chemical dispenser 160. The firstamount of the chemical tablets 110 displace a first amount of water,causing the buoyant platform 140 to have a first buoyancy. At a secondtime, as illustrated in FIG. 17, a second amount of the chemical tablets110 are present within buoyant chemical dispenser 160. The second amountof the chemical tablets 110 displace a second amount of water, causingthe buoyant platform 140 to have a second buoyancy. For example, fromthe first time to the second time, the buoyant platform 140 increases inheight with respect to the buoyant chemical dispenser 160. The increasein height of the buoyant platform 140 causes an increase in height offill level indicators 162, which indicate an amount of the presence, orlack thereof, of chemical tablets 110 within the buoyant chemicaldispenser 160. Note a first buoyant platform 140 may be used withchemicals of a first mass and a second buoyant platform 140 may be usedfor chemicals of a second mass.

FIGS. 18-20 are side views of an embodiment of buoyant chemicaldispenser 160 that includes fill level indicators 162. In this example,consumable resources within the buoyant chemical dispenser 160 depleteover time. As a result of the consumable resources depleting, the filllevel indicators increase in height with respect to the buoyant chemicaldispenser 160. The change in height of the fill level indicators 162indicate an amount of the consumable resources present within thebuoyant chemical dispenser 160. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 18,the buoyant chemical dispenser 160 is full of the consumable resourceswhich causes the fill level indicators 162 to be at a first height abovethe top of the buoyant chemical dispenser 160. As another example, asillustrated in FIG. 19, the buoyant chemical dispenser 160 is aroundhalf full of the consumable resources which causes the fill levelindicators 162 to be at a second height above the top of the buoyantchemical dispenser 160. As yet another example, as illustrated in FIG.20, the buoyant chemical dispenser 160 is full of the consumableresources which causes the fill level indicators 162 to be at a thirdheight above the top of the buoyant chemical dispenser 160.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are cross sectional views of an embodiment of a buoyantchemical dispenser 160 that includes a storage chamber 222. The storagechamber 222 houses forceps 220. The forceps 220 may also function as anindicator 220 that indicates an amount of a consumable resource presentwithin the buoyant chemical dispenser 160.

FIG. 23 is a side view of an embodiment of a buoyant chemical dispenser160 that includes a storage chamber 222 for housing forceps 220 and alid 230. The forceps 220 allow for grasping chemical tablet 110 andplacing chemical tablet 110 within the buoyant chemical dispenser 160without direct skin contact with the chemical tablet 110.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are cross sectional views of an embodiment of chemicaldispensing system that includes forceps 220, and a buoyant platform 140.The buoyant platform 140 is positioned below both of chemical tablets110 and forceps 220. As the chemical tablets deplete (e.g., due to aninteraction of the chemical tablets 110 with water in a pool), abuoyancy force acting on the buoyant platform changes (e.g., decreases),causing the buoyant platform to rise. The rise in the buoyant platformcauses a corresponding rise in the indicator (e.g., forceps 220) whichindicates the amount of the chemical tablets present within the chemicaldispensing system.

FIGS. 26 and 27 are cross sectional views of an embodiment of a buoyantchemical dispenser 160 that includes buoyant platform 140. The buoyantplatform 140 is coupled to the fill level indicators 162 and a housinginside an internal chamber. The housing holds chemical tablets 110. Inone embodiment, the fill level indicators 162 function as the housing.The fill level indicators 162 include pivot points 260. Chemical tablets110 sit atop the buoyant platform 140. The buoyancy of the buoyantplatform 260 is related to the amount of chemical tablets 110 presentatop of the buoyant platform. As a mass of the chemical tabletsdecrease, a corresponding buoyancy of the buoyant platform increasescause the fill level indicators to increase in height above a topportion of the buoyant chemical dispenser 160.

FIGS. 28, 29 and 30 are side views of an embodiment of a buoyantchemical dispenser 160 that includes fill level indicators 162 thatinclude pivot points 260. When the fill level indicators 162 rise abovea threshold point (e.g., the top of the buoyant chemical dispenser 160),the pivot points 260 allow at least a portion of the fill levelindicators 162 to rotate at pivot points 260. The rotated portions ofthe fill level indicators indicate that chemical tablets within thebuoyant chemical dispenser 160 have been or soon will be fully depleted.

It is noted that terminologies as may be used herein such as bit stream,stream, signal sequence, etc. (or their equivalents) have been usedinterchangeably to describe digital information whose contentcorresponds to any of a number of desired types (e.g., data, video,speech, audio, etc. any of which may generally be referred to as‘data’).

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processingcircuit”, “processor”, and/or “processing unit” may be a singleprocessing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may be, or furtherinclude, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be asingle memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embeddedcircuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory,random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, staticmemory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any devicethat stores digital information. Note that if the processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more thanone processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memoryelement may store, and the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memorydevice or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “configured to”, “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or“coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirectcoupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes,but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or amodule) where, for an example of indirect coupling, the intervening itemdoes not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its currentlevel, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein,inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another elementby inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items inthe same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, theterm “configured to”, “operable to”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupledto” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections,input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more itscorresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to oneor more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term“associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separateitems and/or one item being embedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desiredrelationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may beachieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1. As maybe used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to providethe desired relationship.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or moreaspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or moreexamples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article ofmanufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include one or more ofthe aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with referenceto one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figureto figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly namedfunctions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or differentreference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. maybe the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or differentones.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of theone or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosedherein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprises: a container that includes a section for containing a consumable resource, wherein the consumable resource includes one or more of a dissolvable solid, and a miscible liquid; and an indicator that physically changes position with respect to the container to indicate consumption of the consumable resource when the container is in an environment that causes the consumable resource to be consumed.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the section comprises: a separate housing for containing the consumable resource, wherein the separate housing is mechanically coupled to the indicator, and wherein the separate housing changes position with respect to the container as the consumable resource is consumed.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container comprises: a dispensing mechanism that allows the environment to interact with the consumable resource, wherein the interaction of the consumable resource and the environment causes consumption of the consumable resource.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container comprises: a dispensing mechanism that allows the environment to interact with the consumable resource, wherein the interaction of the consumable resource and the environment causes consumption of the consumable resource, wherein the consumption of the consumable resource creates a desired mixture level between the consumable resource and a liquid to be within a desired mixture range, and wherein the liquid is the environment.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distance of at least a portion of the indicator with respect to the container is decreased as the consumable resource is consumed.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distance of at least a portion of the indicator with respect to the container is increased as the consumable resource is consumed.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises: a buoyant chemical dispenser that includes the section for containing the consumable resource, wherein the consumable resource is chemical tablets for use in a pool of water; and a fill level indicator that physically changes position with respect to the buoyant chemical dispenser to indicate consumption of the chemical tablets when the buoyant chemical dispenser is in the pool, wherein an interaction between the water and the chemical tablets causes the chemical tablets to be consumed.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the section comprises one or more of: a buoyant platform and a spring loaded mechanism.
 9. An apparatus comprises: a container that includes a section for containing a consumable resource, wherein the consumable resource includes one or more of a dissolvable solid, and a miscible liquid; and an indicator that physically changes position with respect to the container to indicate consumption of the consumable resource when the container is in an environment that causes the consumable resource to be consumed; and an electronic circuit operable to generate a signal when the physically changed position of the indicator with respect to the container exceeds a threshold.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the electronic circuit includes an ambient light sensor, wherein the ambient light sensor detects a change from a first ambient light condition to a second ambient light condition, and wherein the electronic circuit further includes circuitry that converts the detection of the change into the signal.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the circuitry further comprises: a wireless transceiver to transmit the signal to an external computing device.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the ambient light sensor comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the section comprises: a separate housing for containing the consumable resource, wherein the separate housing is mechanically coupled to the indicator, and wherein the separate housing changes position with respect to the container as the consumable resource is consumed.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprises: a dispensing mechanism that allows the environment to interact with the consumable resource, wherein the interaction of the consumable resource and the environment causes consumption of the consumable resource, and wherein a level of the interaction is changed by changing a position of the dispensing mechanism.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container comprises: a dispensing mechanism that allows the environment to interact with the consumable resource, wherein the interaction of the consumable resource and the environment causes consumption of the consumable resource, wherein the consumption of the consumable resource causes certain properties of a liquid to be maintained, and wherein the liquid is the environment.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container comprises: a dispensing mechanism that allows the environment to interact with the consumable resource, wherein the interaction of the consumable resource and the environment causes consumption of the consumable resource, wherein the consumption of the consumable resource creates a desired mixture level between the consumable resource and a liquid to be within a desired mixture range, and wherein the liquid is the environment.
 17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a distance of at least a portion of the indicator with respect to the container is decreased as the consumable resource is consumed.
 18. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a distance of at least a portion of the indicator with respect to the container is increased as the consumable resource is consumed.
 19. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus comprises: a buoyant chemical dispenser that includes the section for containing the consumable resource, wherein the consumable resource is chemical tablets for use in a pool of water; and a fill level indicator that physically changes position with respect to the buoyant chemical dispenser to indicate consumption of the chemical tablets when the buoyant chemical dispenser is in the pool, wherein an interaction between the water and the chemical tablets causes the chemical tablets to be consumed.
 20. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the section comprises one or more of: a buoyant platform; and a spring loaded mechanism. 